Hamilton Confident in Future Despite Vettel Rumors

2008 Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton insists that his long term future with Mercedes is not in doubt, despite increasing speculation linking four time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel to the team.

Red Bull’s lead motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has suggested that Mercedes has started to ramp up their efforts to try to lure Vettel for 2016, after Hamilton’s current deal expires. Although Hamilton knows the speculations are beginning to run rampant, he remains confident that will be at Mercedes for the foreseeable future.

“I’m not worried about it,” Hamilton said at the Hungarian GP, just a week after teammate Nico Rosberg’s new deal at Mercedes was announced. “Another German driver? I’m not sure if that’s something Mercedes would like.

“At the moment I’m here until the end of next year, so it’s not going to be any time soon. But Mercedes are the best, so everyone is going to want to drive a Mercedes.”

Hamilton has indicated that his bosses at Mercedes are ready to commit to a new deal and that he has no desire to look elsewhere. As for Vettel, he appears to be downplaying the speculation ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

“I think any offer is to be considered, but nothing has changed,” Vettel said. “So I still don’t talk about these things. I don’t know which sources Helmut has or doesn’t have. But they seem to vary.”

About Justin Tucker

Justin starts his second year with the Frontstretch in 2014, responsible for Sprint Cup news in our e-newsletter twice a week. Also a Frontstretch Power Rankings contributor, he acts as “super sub” filling in for various columns throughout the season. He resides out in Missouri.